Foxtel refreshes music channels
MTV Dance & MTV Music to replace MTV Classic, MTV Hits and MTV Live, plus SMOOTH joining Foxtel.
- Published by David Knox
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MTV channels will be revamped on Foxtel with two new channels, MTV Dance and MTV Music to replace MTV Classic, MTV Hits and MTV Live while 30 audio music channels (Ch 831-860) will become available to all residential subscribers.
MTV Dance will feature dance, hip hop and RnB while MTV Music will feature pop, rock, urban and alternative music, both on the Kids & Music Package.
MTV (channel 124) remains part of the Foxtel’s Essentials pack.
Katrina Southon, Sr Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Australia & New Zealand said: “MTV Music and MTV Dance bring distinct program offerings to the reinvigorated music offering on Foxtel, giving Australian audiences new ways to experience the world’s largest youth brand.”
Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s Executive Director of Television said, “With our colleagues at MTV, Foxtel’s new music offering will be made up of defined channel brands aimed at different audiences and demographics. The seven dedicated music channels will deliver our customers the best that music television has to offer, in a wide variety of genres, both from Australia and around the world.”
A new adult contemporary music video channel SMOOTH will be offered from the easy-listening dmg Radio radio station.
“smoothfm is the fastest growing radio brand in Australia and Foxtel is delighted to partner with dmg Radio in bringing smooth to television audiences,” said Walsh.
“SMOOTH on Foxtel will feature the highly successful adult contemporary music synonymous with smoothfm, with a range of programming such as countdowns, concert specials and music videos from iconic artists such as Madonna, Michael Bublè, Adele, Whitney Houston, Fleetwood Mac, Robbie Williams, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.”
Changes take place from December 3rd.
16 Responses
@daran Smooth is offered as a digital station in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.
“smoothfm is the fastest growing radio brand in Australia and Foxtel is delighted to partner with dmg Radio in bringing smooth to television audiences,” said Walsh.
Interesting statement considering smoothfm is only in Sydney and Melbourne
Doesn’t make it untrue. A brand can be in one city and still be the fastest growing in the country?
MTV Music? What the M in MTV stand for again? What’s next Fox Sports Sport?
Will these MTV channels be available to Foxtel Play subscribers?
It would be interesting to see a FTA popular music channel with a smartphone app to make it easy to buy the music playing.
Can’t believe the only High Definition music channel will be gone. Disappointed!!!! Why??? I enjoyed watching the HD concerts and video clips… mainly the concerts as they were as close to actually being there, in the media pit when I work – photographing about 85% of the artists on the channel!
I agree with ph. Hoever that is not going to happen. Maybe there could be a channel/content sharing agreement if FTA networks give up there AntiSiphoning list, which i dont think will happen. Although FTA could easily put a music channel of there own, TEN had that opportunity when they had TENHD, remember that channel, they could have expanded Video Hits, but chose not to probably because of royalty payments getting out of control, plus music shows in general on tv are a dying form because of YouTube and Vevo.
Hmmmm.. I wonder if other radio networks will be approached or offered a seat at the Foxtel table ? I suspect not if Lachlan continues to have his way.
I love Smooth fm here in Melbourne. Have put my package on hold. These could be reasons to switch it back on.
Smooth = MAX?
Wasn’t really looking for another reason to not have foxtel but here is one.
In the UK there is an MTV channel available on Freeview. Would be a great way to reach a bigger audience, if they were allowed. Need something interesting added to the freeview line up instead of data casting infomercial rubbish.
@ r2thez – foxtel.com.au/whats-on/summer-channel-changes/default.htm MTV Live and MTV Live HD will close on 3rd December when the new channels launch.
@ fireit – themusicnetwork.com/mtv-dance-mtv-music/ MTV Hits and MTV Classic will continue to be available on N.Z.’s Sky and IPTV service FetchTV
Any idea how this affects MTV on Fetch TV?
What’s happening to the HD channel. Is one of the others taking it’s place?